Tamil Nadu Shocker: Three AIADMK MLAs Resign and Join TVK, Dealing a Blow to the Party

Three AIADMK MLAs from the party’s rebel camp resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly and joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking another setback for the opposition party in the state. The MLAs who quit were S. Jayakumar, representing Perundurai in Erode district; Maragatham Kumaravel, representing Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district; and P. Sathyabama, representing Dharapuram in Tiruppur district. The resignations were submitted to Assembly Speaker J. C. Prabhakar. After stepping down, all three leaders met TVK functionary and minister Aadhav Arjuna before formally joining the party.

The move comes from the AIADMK’s dissident faction and adds to the internal strain within the party. With the departure of the three MLAs, AIADMK’s strength in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has dropped to 44. The development is politically significant because it signals further erosion of the party’s legislative base at a time when it is already dealing with factional instability.

The MLAs’ decision to switch allegiance to TVK also provides a boost to the party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, which has been seeking to expand its political presence. Their joining is expected to draw attention to TVK’s attempts to attract experienced legislators and strengthen its position in Tamil Nadu politics. The resignations and subsequent party switch were reported on May 25, 2026, and are being viewed as a fresh blow to AIADMK’s organizational unity and morale.

The resignations were not isolated individual exits but appeared to be a coordinated political move involving members from the rebel camp. The timing and collective nature of the decision underline the continuing unrest inside AIADMK and the shifting alignments in the state’s political landscape. For TVK, the addition of three sitting MLAs offers both symbolic and strategic value as it works to establish itself as a serious contender in Tamil Nadu.

The latest development may also influence future legislative and electoral calculations in the state. AIADMK’s reduced strength in the Assembly reflects not only the immediate loss of three members but also the broader challenge of keeping its elected representatives united. Meanwhile, TVK’s ability to attract defectors from a major regional party suggests growing momentum and an ambition to widen its appeal beyond its core support base.

Overall, the resignations of S. Jayakumar, Maragatham Kumaravel, and P. Sathyabama mark a notable political shift in Tamil Nadu, weakening AIADMK’s Assembly numbers while strengthening TVK’s visibility and reach.